| Columbus Checkers | |
|---|---|
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| City | Columbus, Ohio |
| League | International Hockey League |
| Operated | 1966–1970 |
| Home arena | Fairgrounds Coliseum |
| Franchise history | |
| 1966–1970 | Columbus Checkers |
| 1971–1973 | Columbus Golden Seals |
| 1973–1977 | Columbus Owls |
| 1977 | Dayton Owls |
| 1977–1980 | Grand Rapids Owls |
TheColumbus Checkers were aminor league professionalice hockey team in theInternational Hockey League from 1966 to 1970, and the first professional hockey team inColumbus, Ohio.
Their first game was against theChicago Blackhawks of theNational Hockey League on October 12, 1966 at the Ohio Expo Fairgrounds Coliseum.
The team was originally coached byMoe Bartoli, however after the 1967–68 season, Bartoli was involved in a dispute with the teams owners, and left.Jack Turner took over as the team's Head Coach at the start of the 1968 season.
Notably,Alton White, who would become the second player of African descent, afterWillie O'Ree, to play on a professional major league ice-hockey team, played for the club over three seasons from 1966 to 1969.[1] He tallied 96 goals and 130 assists for 226 points in 204 games played for the club.[1] He would go on to play 145 games in theWHA for theNew York Raiders,Los Angeles Sharks, andMichigan Stags/Baltimore Blades.[1]
The Columbus Checkers became defunct in the spring of 1970 due to low attendance.
| Season | Games | Won | Lost | Tied | Points | Goals for | Goals against |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1966–67 | 72 | 23 | 48 | 1 | 47 | 294 | 373 |
| 1967–68 | 72 | 32 | 30 | 10 | 74 | 312 | 300 |
| 1968–69 | 72 | 36 | 37 | 9 | 61 | 286 | 333 |
| 1969–70 | 72 | 24 | 36 | 12 | 60 | 287 | 307 |
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